Tigers in the NFL: Ty'Ron Hopper prevents 2-point conversion during Sunday Night Football
In pursuit of its third consecutive win, Green Bay turned to linebacker Ty’Ron Hopper in coverage.
The Packers looked to keep it a two-score game in the fourth quarter Sunday with the Pittsburgh Steelers when they lined up to stop a 2-point conversion. Steelers quarterback Aaron Rodgers rolled to his right and found separation for tight end Jonnu Smith. The pass hit Smith into the chest, but after a bobbled reception, Hopper, a Missouri product, snuck in a hand to force the incompletion.
Green Bay improved to 5-1-1 with a 35-25 victory over Pittsburgh. Hopper, relatedly, logged no traditional snaps for the Packers. The second-year linebacker recorded a career-high 21 snaps, posting his best PFF defensive grade of the season: 71.1.
How other Tigers performed in Week 8
In another primetime matchup with Kansas City, linebacker Nick Bolton totaled one quarterback hit and six tackles, one solo, in a 28-7 victory over Washington. Chicago rookie Luther Burden III reeled in a screen pass for negative gain in Sunday’s 30-16 loss to Baltimore. The wide receiver got evaluated for a concussion during the second half. Denver running back Tyler Badie rushed once for six yards in a 44-24 stomping of Dallas.
After handing Badie multiple opportunities in Week 8, the Broncos turned to another Missouri product this past Sunday. Cornerback Kris Abrams-Draine finished with nine tackles, the second most among Denver defenders. Abrams-Draine stepped into a more significant role in lieu of Pat Surtain II, who suffered a pec strain.
Carolina cornerback Akayleb Evans, who has primarily played on special teams this season, logged an assisted tackle, his first traditional statistic since Week 4. Cleveland defensive end Isaiah McGuire picked up two more tackles in a 32-13 loss to New England. San Francisco defensive tackle Jordan Elliot is day-to-day with an ankle injury.
During their bye week, Arizona defensive lineman Darius Robinson and Jacksonville running back Cody Schrader both traveled to Missouri’s Week 9 bout with Vanderbilt. Robinson also shared a photo to Instagram with former Tigers defensive end Nyles Gaddy, a Nashville native.
Old friend
Former Missouri, Indiana and Bowling Green quarterback Connor Bazelak was elevated from the Tampa Bay practice squad Sunday. The third-string passer didn’t record a snap for the Buccaneers while providing depth to a banged-up room. It marked Bazelak’s first NFL game on the active roster.